Note: In a career context, all numbers are restricted between 0 and 5. However, in a match context, the numbers are not restricted. For simplicity, we are changing the scale here in the report and expressing every Match Impact number as a percentage. The maximum percentage (100) is assigned to the highest impact player of the match. All other players in the match are scaled relative to him. Negative Match Impact indicates that not only did the player not contribute in the match, but he also had an adverse effect on his team’s chances.​​

Asad Shafiq was the highest impact player, and batsman, of the match for a performance that almost took his team across the line.

Over the last 24 months in Test cricket (min. 10 matches), Shafiq has been second only to Sri Lanka’s Dinesh Chandimal when it comes to absorbing pressure of falling wickets ( Pressure Impact ). He has also been the best at building partnerships ( Partnership-Building Impact ) in this period. Both qualities shone through at the Gabba.

Chasing 490, Pakistan could muster only one proper partnership before Shafiq walked out to bat (at 165 for 4). He was soon under more pressure – with Younis Khan’s dismissal (173 for 5) – but remained resolute. With Shafiq at the crease, the visitors added 276 runs till the man himself succumbed (the penultimate wicket). Shafiq was rightfully adjudged ‘Man of the match’.

Mitchell Starc was the highest impact bowler of the first Test for his match haul of seven wickets (3-63 and 4-119). Six of his victims were that of the opposition’s top/middle-order and his bursts kept them under pressure.

Steven Smith finished as Australia’s highest impact player for scores of 130 and 63. He also featured on the field, effecting five dismissals (four catches and a run out).